Misc Tennis

Paris 2024: What the French Open told us about the Olympic and Paralympic Games

Carlos Alcaraz with the men's singles French Open trophy, Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek with the women's singles French Open trophy

While Swiatek is the nailed-on favourite for gold in the women’s draw, it’s harder to call on the men’s side.

Even if Djokovic is fit in time for the Olympics, the 24-time Grand Slam champion has struggled for form this year, failing to reach a final.

Carlos Alcaraz will head into the Games as the reigning French Open champion after claiming a maiden title at the tournament many always thought he was destined to win.

However, it was anything but an easy run for the Spaniard, who needed five sets to win his semi-final against Jannik Sinner, while Alexander Zverev also took him to five in the final.

Runner-up Zverev is the defending Olympic champion, and the German will take confidence from reaching the showpiece after failing to win his three previous semi-finals in Paris.

New world number one Sinner made his best run in the French capital, while fellow semi-finalist Casper Ruud can also be considered a key contender having made two of the past three finals at Roland Garros.

Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at BBC Sport…